Performance optimization of a SERF atomic magnetometer based on flat-top light beam

We explore the impact of pumping beams with different transverse intensity profiles on the performance of the spinexchange relaxation-free(SERF) atomic magnetometers(AMs). We conduct experiments comparing the traditional Gaussian optically-pumped AM with that utilizing the flat-top optically-pumped(FTOP) method. Our findings reveal that the FTOP-based approach outperforms the conventional method, exhibiting a larger response, a narrower magnetic resonance linewidth, and a superior low-frequency noise performance. Specifically, the use of FTOP method leads to a 16% enhancement in average sensitivity within 1 Hz–30 Hz frequency range. Our research emphasizes the significance of achieving transverse polarization uniformity in AMs, providing insights for future optimization efforts and sensitivity improvements in miniaturized magnetometers.

Crossed Beams Study on the Dynamics of F Atom Reaction with 1,2-Butadiene

We have investigated the dynamics of the F＋C4H6 reaction using the universal crossed molecular beam method. The C4H5F＋H reaction channel was observed in this experiment. Angular resolved time-of-flight spectra have been measured for the C4H5F product. Prod- uct angular distributions as well as kinetic energy distributions were determined for this product channel. Experimental results show that the C4H5F product is largely backward scattered with considerable forward scattering signal, relative to the F atom beam direction. This suggests that the reaction channel mainly proceeds via a long-lived complex formation mechanism, with possible contribution from a direct SN2 type mechanism.

Crossed Beams Study on the Dynamics of CI Atom Reaction with Silane

The dynamics of the Cl＋SiH4 reaction has been studied using the universal crossed molecular beam method. Angular resolved time-of-flight spectra have been measured for the channel SiH3Cl＋H. Product angular distributions as well as energy distributions in the center-ofmass frame were determined for the channel. Experimental results show that the SiH3Cl product is mainly backward scattered relative to the Cl atom beam direction, suggesting that the channel takes place via a typical SN2 type reaction mechanism.

Laser Ablation Atomic Beam Apparatus with Time-Sliced Velocity Map Imaging for Studying State-to-State Metal Reaction Dynamics

We report a newly constructed laser ablation crossed molecular beam apparatus, equipped with time-sliced velocity map imaging technique, to study state-to-state metal atom reaction dynamics. Supersonic metal atomic beam is generated by laser vaporization of metal rod, and free expansion design without gas flow channel has been employed to obtain a good quality of metal atomic beam. We have chosen the crossed-beam reaction Al＋O2 to test the performance of the new apparatus. Two-rotational-states selected AIO（X^2∑＋, v=0, N and N＋I4） products can be imaged via P（N） and R（N＋14） branches of the Av=l band at the same wavelength, during （1＋1） resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization through the AIO（D2E＋） intermediate state. In our experiment at 244.145 nm for simultaneous transitions of P（15） and R（29） branch, two rings in slice image were clearly distinguishable, corresponding to the AiO（v=0, N=IS） and AIO（v=0, N=29） states respectively. The energy difference between the two rotational levels is 403 cm^-1. The success of two states resolved in our apparatus suggests a better collisional energy resolution compared with the recent research study [J. Chem. Phys. 140, 214304 （2014）].

Diffracted field distribution from a knife-edge truncated semi-Gaussian beam as an atomic （molecular） mirror

We investigate the diffraction characteristics of an incident Gaussian beam cut by a straight edge bounding a semi-infinite opaque plane using Kirchhoff scalar wave theory in the Fresnel limit, and propose a new and simple mirror scheme to reflect atoms by using the intensity gradient induced by a blue-detuned semi-Gaussian laser beam. The optical potential of the diffracted light of the knife-cut semi-Gaussian beam for 85 Rb atom and its spontaneous emission probability are calculated and compared with the performance of the evanescent-wave mirror. Our study shows that the optical potential of the diffracted light of the semi-Gaussian beam is far higher than that of the evanescent light wave, and the maximum normal velocity of the incident atoms can be far greater than that of the evanescent light wave under the same parameters, so the blue-detuned semioGaussian beam, as a novel atomic mirror, can be used to efficiently reflect cold atoms with a normal velocity of greater than 1 m/s. However, the intensity gradient （force） of the diffracted light of the semi-Gaussian-beam is much smaller than that of the evanescent light wave, so its spontaneous emission probability is greater than that from the evanescent-wave when the normal velocity of incident atoms is greater.

Demonstration of a cold atom beam splitter on atom chip

We report an experimental demonstration of a new scheme to split cold atoms on an atom chip. The atom chip consists of a U-wire and a Z-wire. The cold atom cloud is initially loaded and prepared in the Z-trap, which is split into two separate parts by switching on the current of the U-wire. The two separate atom clouds have a distance more than one millimeter apart from each other and show almost symmetrical profiles, corresponding to about a 50/50 splitting ratio.

A Single Folded Beam Magneto-Optical Trap System for Neutral Mercury Atoms

Mercury is a promising candidate for the optical lattice clock, due to its low sensitivity to the blackbody radiation. We develop a single folded beam magneto-optical trap for the neutral mercury optical lattice clock, with a 253. 7nm frequency quadrupled laser. Up to 1.7 × 10^6 （202Hg） or 1.5 × 10^6 （199Hg） atoms can be captured, and the atom temperature is lowered to 170μK （202Hg） or 50μK （199Hg）. The cold atom signals of all six rich abundant isotopes are observed in this system.

Production and guidance of pulsed atomic beams on chip

We demonstrated two experimental methods of producing and guiding pulsed atomic beams on chip. One is to trap atoms first in a U-type magneto-optical trap on the chip, then transfer them to the magnetic guide field and push them simultaneously by a continuous force from the power imbalance of the magneto-optical trap laser beams hence the pulsed cold atom beams are produced and move along the magnetic guide to the destination. The other is to trap atoms directly by a H-type magneto-optical trap, then push them to make them move along the magnetic guide field, thus high rate cold atom beams can be produced and guided on the chip.

A Slow and Clean Fluorine Atom Beam Source Based on Ultraviolet Laser Photolysis

A slow and clean uorine atom beam source is one of the essential components for the low-collision energy scattering experiment involving uorine atom.In this work,we describe a simple but ef-fective photolysis uorine atom beam source based on ultraviolet laser photolysis,the performance of which was demonstrated by high-resolution time-of-ight spectra from the reactive scattering of F+HD.This beam source paved the way for stud-ies of low energy collisions with uorine atoms.

Atomic-Oxygen Beam Source with Compact ECR Plasma

An atomic-oxygen beam source with compact ECR plasma was successfully investigated. The microwave was produced and transmitted in a coaxial mode, and coupled with the loop. The plasma was produced at a higher asymmetry magnetic mirror field, and neutralized with the molybdenum target at a lower asymmetry magnetic mirror field. The magnetic field was constituted with permanent magnets. This source has a higher flux density of atom beam, a lower operating pressure, a smaller power consumption and low-cost. When it was installed at the equipment to study the interaction of the beam with the surface, the operation was carried out very easily and with a good stability.

A cold ^(87)Rb atomic beam

We demonstrate an experimental setup for the production of a beam source of cold 87Rb atoms. The atoms are extracted from a trapped cold atomic cloud in an unbalanced three-dimensional magneto-optical trap. Via a radiation pressure difference generated by a specially designed leak tunnel along one trapping laser beam, the atoms are pushed out continuously with low velocities and a high flux. The most-probable velocity in the beam is varied from 9 m/s to 19 m/s by varying the detuning of the trapping laser beams in the magneto-optical trap and the flux can be tuned up to 4× 10^9 s-1 by increasing the intensity of the trapping beams. We also present a simple model for describing the dependence of the beam performance on the magneto optical trap trapping laser intensity and the detuning.

Enhanced cold mercury atom production with two-dimensional magneto-optical trap

A cold atom source is important for quantum metrology and precision measurement.To reduce the quantum projection noise limit in optical lattice clock,one can increase the number of cold atoms and reduce the dead time by enhancing the loading rate.In this work,we realize an enhanced cold mercury atom source based on a two-dimensional(2D)magnetooptical trap(MOT).The vacuum system is composed of two titanium chambers connected with a differential pumping tube.Two stable cooling laser systems are adopted for the 2D-MOT and the three-dimensional(3D)-MOT,respectively.Using an optimized 2D-MOT and push beam,about 1.3×10^(6)atoms,which are almost an order of magnitude higher than using a pure 3D-MOT,are loaded into the 3D-MOT for202Hg atoms.This enhanced cold mercury atom source is helpful in increasing the frequency stability of a neutral mercury lattice clock.

Highly Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photoelectrochemical Performance of ZnO-Modified In_2S_3 Nanosheet Arrays by Atomic Layer Deposition

Photoanodes based on In_2S_3/ZnO heterojunction nanosheet arrays(NSAs) have been fabricated by atomic layer deposition of ZnO over In_2S_3 NSAs, which were in situ grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide glasses via a facile solvothermal process. The as-prepared photoanodes show dramatically enhanced performance for photoelectrochemical(PEC) water splitting, compared to single semiconductor counterparts. The optical and PEC properties of In_2S_3/ZnO NSAs have been optimized by modulating the thickness of the Zn O overlayer. After pairing with ZnO, the NSAs exhibit a broadened absorption range and an increased light absorptance over a wide wavelength region of 250–850 nm. The optimized sample of In_2S_3/ZnO-50 NSAs shows a photocurrent density of 1.642 m A cm^(-2)(1.5 V vs. RHE) and an incident photonto-current efficiency of 27.64% at 380 nm(1.23 V vs.RHE), which are 70 and 116 times higher than those of the pristine In_2S_3 NSAs, respectively. A detailed energy band edge analysis reveals the type-II band alignment of the In_2S_3/ZnO heterojunction, which enables efficient separation and collection of photogenerated carriers,especially with the assistance of positive bias potential, and then results in the significantly increased PEC activity.

Alignment of beam position monitors in cryomodule of CADS injector Ⅱ

Significant temperature difference(300-77 K or even 4 K) can cause large deformations and displacements of the beam position monitors(BPMs),which affect BPMs measurement resolution or even cause their malfunction in cryogenic situations.In this paper,to check the offset from the mechanical to electrical center in low temperature(77 K),Fourier's law and finite element method are used to simulate cryo-deformation.Laser tracker and micro-alignment telescope are employed in combined BPM calibration,installation and monitoring.The calibration error is<0.02 mm,and the installation and monitoring precision are 0.06 mm and 0.01 mm,respectively.The monitored cryo-deformation agrees well with the simulation results.These indicate that the combined alignment can improve performance of the BPM system.All these guaranteed the success of running the 9.55 MeV@2.14 mA cw protons.

Acid‐promoted Ir‐La‐S/AC‐catalyzed methanol carbonylation on single atomic active sites

Highly active Ir‐La‐S/AC catalyst was successfully prepared by co‐impregnation of an activated carbon（AC） carrier with a sulfuric acid solution of Ir and La species and compared with a tradition‐ally prepared Ir‐La/AC catalyst. High angle annular dark‐field‐scanning transmission electron mi‐croscopy（HAADF‐STEM） measurement results show that most of the Ir species on Ir‐La‐S/AC exist as single atomic sites, while those on Ir‐La/AC exist as nanoparticles with an average diameter of 1.5 nm. Evaluation of Ir‐La‐S/AC as a catalyst for heterogeneous carbonylation of methanol to acetyl gave a maximum TOF （turn‐over‐frequency） of 2760 h^–1, which was distinctly higher than that achieved by the Ir‐La/AC catalyst（approximately 1000 h^-1）. Temperature‐programmed desorption of ammonia（NH3‐TPD） result shows that the addition of sulfuric acid during the preparation pro‐cedure results in significantly more acidic sites on Ir‐La‐S/AC than those on Ir‐La/AC, which plays a key role in the enhancement of CO insertion as the rate‐determining step. Tempera‐ture‐programmed reduction（TPR） and in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal that Ir spe‐cies are more reducible, and that more Ir^＋ might be formed by activation of Ir‐La‐S/AC than those on the Ir‐La/AC catalyst, which is thought to be beneficial for reductive elimination of AcI from Ir^3＋ species as an essential step for CH3I regeneration and acetyl formation.

Application of Electron-Shelving Detection via 423 nm Transition in Calcium-Beam Optical Frequency Standard

A new scheme of small compact optical frequency standard based on thermal calcium beam with application of 423 nm shelving detection and sharp-angle velocity selection detection is proposed. Combining these presented techniques, we conclude that a small compact optical frequency standard based on thermal calcium beam will outperform the commercial caesium-beam microwave dock, like the 5071 Cs clock （from Hp to Agilent, now Symmetricom company）, both in accuracy and stability.

Atomic level deposition to extend Moore’s law and beyond

In the past decades,Moore’s law drives the semiconductor industry to continuously shrink the critical size of transistors down to 7 nm.As transistors further downscaling to smaller sizes,the law reaches its limitation,and the increase of transistors density on the chip decelerates.Up to now,extreme ultraviolet lithography has been used in some key steps,and it is facing alignment precision and high costs for high-volume manufacturing.Meanwhile,the introduction of new materials and 3D complex structures brings serious challenges for top-down methods.Thus,bottom-up schemes are believed to be necessary methods combined with the top-down processes.In this article,atomic level deposition methods are reviewed and categorized to extend Moore’s law and beyond.Firstly,the deposition brings lateral angstrom resolution to the vertical direction as well as top-down etching,such as double patterning,transfer of nanowires,deposition of nanotubes,and so on.Secondly,various template-assisted selective deposition methods including dielectric templates,inhibitors and correction steps have been utilized for the alignment of 3D complex structures.Higher resolution can be achieved by inherently selective deposition,and the underlying selective mechanism is discussed.Finally,the requirements for higher precision and efficiency manufacturing are also discussed,including the equipment,integration processes,scale-up issues,etc.The article reviews low dimensional manufacturing and integration of 3D complex structures for the extension of Moore’s law in semiconductor fields,and emerging fields including but not limited to energy,catalysis,sensor and biomedicals.

Atom interferometers with weak-measurement path detectors and their quantum mechanical analysis

According to the orthodox interpretation of quantum physics, wave-particle duality(WPD) is the intrinsic property of all massive microscopic particles. All gedanken or realistic experiments based on atom interferometers(AI) have so far upheld the principle of WPD, either by the mechanism of the Heisenberg’s position-momentum uncertainty relation or by quantum entanglement. In this paper, we propose and make a systematic quantum mechanical analysis of several schemes of weak-measurement atom interferometer(WM-AI) and compare them with the historical schemes of strongmeasurement atom interferometer(SM-AI), such as Einstein’s recoiling slit and Feynman’s light microscope. As the critical part of these WM-AI setups, a weak-measurement path detector(WM-PD) deliberately interacting with the atomic internal electronic quantum states is designed and used to probe the which-path information of the atom, while only inducing negligible perturbation of the atomic center-of-mass motion. Another instrument that is used to directly interact with the atomic center-of-mass while being insensitive to the internal electronic quantum states is used to monitor the atomic centerof-mass interference pattern. Two typical schemes of WM-PD are considered. The first is the micromaser-cavity path detector, which allows us to probe the spontaneously emitted microwave photon from the incoming Rydberg atom in its excited electronic state and record unanimously the which-path information of the atom. The second is the optical-lattice Bragg-grating path detector, which can split the incoming atom beam into two different directions as determined by the internal electronic state and thus encode the which-path information of the atom into the internal states of the atom. We have used standard quantum mechanics to analyze the evolution of the atomic center-of-mass and internal electronic state wave function by directly solving Schr¨odinger’s equation for the composite atom-electron-photon system in these WM-AIs. We have also compared our analysis with the theoretical and experimental studies that have been presented in the previous literature. The results show that the two sets of instruments can work separately, collectively, and without mutual exclusion to enable simultaneous observation of both wave and particle nature of the atoms to a much higher level than the historical SM-AIs, while avoiding degradation from Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation and quantum entanglement. We have further investigated the space–time evolution of the internal electronic quantum state, as well as the combined atom–detector system and identified the microscopic origin and role of quantum entanglement, as emphasized in numerous previous studies. Based on these physics insights and theoretical analyses, we have proposed several new WM-AI schemes that can help to elucidate the puzzling physics of the WPD of the atoms. The principle of WM-AI scheme and quantum mechanical analyses made in this work can be directly extended to examine the principle of WPD for other massive particles.

Effect of rotary inertia on stability of axially accelerating viscoelastic Rayleigh beams

The dynamic stability of axially moving viscoelastic Rayleigh beams is pre- sented. The governing equation and simple support boundary condition are derived with the extended Hamilton＇s principle. The viscoelastic material of the beams is described as the Kelvin constitutive relationship involving the total time derivative. The axial tension is considered to vary longitudinally. The natural frequencies and solvability condition are obtained in the multi-scale process. It is of interest to investigate the summation parametric resonance and principal parametric resonance by using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion to obtain the stability condition. Numerical examples show the effects of viscos- ity coefficients, mean speed, beam stiffness, and rotary inertia factor on the summation parametric resonance and principle parametric resonance. The differential quadrature method （DQM） is used to validate the value of the stability boundary in the principle parametric resonance for the first two modes.

Approximate analytical solutions and experimental analysis for transient response of constrained damping cantilever beam

Vibration mode of the constrained damping cantilever is built up according to the mode superposition of the elastic cantilever beam. The control equation of the constrained damping cantilever beam is then derived using Lagrange＇s equation. Dynamic response of the constrained damping cantilever beam is obtained according to the principle of virtual work, when the concentrated force is suddenly unloaded. Frequencies and transient response of a series of constrained damping cantilever beams are calculated and tested. Influence of parameters of the damping layer on the response time is analyzed. Analyitcal and experimental approaches are used for verification. The results show that the method is reliable.